Bundle up and join Meridian Township Parks & Recreation for the 2026 Polar Dash & Splash 5K! It will be a fun and frosty day of racing, family activities, and an invigorating polar plunge. This event also serves as a fundraiser for the Meridian Cares Emergency Needs Fund, which helps provide emergency assistance to community members facing urgent financial needs.

The event will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm and will begin at the Meridian Township Municipal Building (5151 Marsh Road, Okemos). A timed Polar Dash 5K and a 1-mile untimed Family Dash are available for participants. Registration is $25 and is available online at the following link: bit.ly/2026PolarSplashDash. T-shirts will be given to all participants who register by January 9, 2026.

More information about the event can be found below.

Pre-Event Schedule:

• Early check-in is available at the Playmakers store (2299 W. Grand River Avenue, Okemos) starting at 11:00 am on Friday, January 23, until 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 24.

Day of Event Schedule:

• All family dash runners and plungers must check in at the Meridian Township Municipal Building. Race participants will receive their bibs, safety pins, and route map at check-in. Polar Plunge participants will receive a plunge wristband and safety instructions.
  • Timeline:
    • 10:30 am | Event Opens/Check-in inside Municipal Building
    • 12:00 pm | Polar 5K Race Begins
    • 12:15 pm | Family Dash Begins
    • 1:45 pm – 2:15 pm | 5K Race Awards Announced
    • 2:30 pm | Polar Plunge

Race Details:

• Polar 5K: Timed race on a marked 5K course. Water and first aid will be available at the finish line. Awards and results will be posted in the Township Municipal Building, where check-ins occurred.
• Family Dash: 1-mile, non-timed, family-friendly run/walk. Strollers and young children welcome. The route is fully marked and monitored by staff and volunteers.

Polar Plunge Details:

• Plungers will be called in small groups and/or by family. Proper rescue personnel will be on site at all times. Warming stations and hot cocoa will be available immediately after exiting the water. Participants must wear footwear that secures to their feet (no flip-flops).

For questions, please contact the Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Department at 517.853.4600 or parks@meridian.mi.us.